What is Burns Night?:
Robert Burns (1759 – 1796) is Scotland’s most famous poet. He is celebrated in Scotland and beyond on the anniversary of his birth (January 25th ) known as Burns Night.
How is it Celebrated?:
Scots gather together for a Burns Supper which consists of traditional Scottish fare. One important 'guest' at the supper will always be a Haggis which was immortalized in Robbie Burns' poem Address to a Haggis.
What Foods are Served on Burns Night?:
A classic starter will be Cock-a-Leekie Soup
and as mentioned above there will always be Haggis served with Tatties (potatoes) and Neeps (turnips).
Pudding is a Tipsy Laird - Trifle, and to drink, of course Whisky.
Pudding is a Tipsy Laird - Trifle, and to drink, of course Whisky.
What Happens on Burns Night?:
A traditional ceremony (below) is usually held at formal dinners and large gatherings but anyone can host a Burns Supper as long as you will pay honor to the Bard and celebrate his memory, there's no way you can get it wrong!
What is the Formal Ceremony?:
At a formal Burns Supper the evening begins with the sound of the bagpipes with guests standing and clapping in time to the music. The host then welcomes everyone and says the Selkirk Grace as follows.
The traditional Address to the Haggis,
Speeches are made usually in praise of Robbie Burns and there is a traditional "Toast to the Lassies' made by a male guest as thanks to the women in their lives. The reply toast comes when a woman will stand and reply to the previous toast, (hopefully) thanking the speaker in an amusing way. She might also make a reference to Burns' women and life.
Favourite poems and recitations which usually follow are "Tam o' Shanter", "To A Mouse" and "Holy Willie's Prayer". Finally, the night ends with everyone joining hands and singing "Auld Lang Syne".
"Some hae meat and cannot eat.Then follows the legendary Parade of the Haggis when guests stand and clapping their hands welcome the Haggis accompanied by the sound of the bagpipes as the Haggis and chef approach the top table.
Some cannot eat that want it:
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.'
The traditional Address to the Haggis,
'His knife, see rustic labour dichtis said before the knife is plunged into the Haggis and eating begins.
An' cut ye up wi' ready slight'
Speeches are made usually in praise of Robbie Burns and there is a traditional "Toast to the Lassies' made by a male guest as thanks to the women in their lives. The reply toast comes when a woman will stand and reply to the previous toast, (hopefully) thanking the speaker in an amusing way. She might also make a reference to Burns' women and life.
Favourite poems and recitations which usually follow are "Tam o' Shanter", "To A Mouse" and "Holy Willie's Prayer". Finally, the night ends with everyone joining hands and singing "Auld Lang Syne".
